New initiative spearheaded by Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago calls for the inclusion of an Asian American history curriculum in Illinois public schools

SPRINGFIELD - Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago and a coalition of over 20 Illinois organizations applaud the introduction of the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History (TEAACH) Act (HB376). Sponsored by Sen. Ram Villivalam and Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, the bill would add an Asian American history curriculum to the Illinois School Code and in all public schools across the state.

CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) announced the local recipients of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program’s second round of funding.

“I was honored to work with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to secure funding for our local businesses in the 8th District,” Villivalam said. “Small businesses are the engine of our economy and must be prioritized for economic relief to help them through this difficult time.”

Round 2 BIG funding was awarded to over 6,100 small businesses across the state, including 194 small businesses in the 8th Senate District. $227 million was distributed in Round 2, totaling $276 million in small business relief since the program began.

Originally published in Journal & Topics, January 20, 2021.

The Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry will celebrate its 50th anniversary during an online leadership celebration at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, where Mayor Andrew Przybylo will deliver his annual State of the Village address and members of the chamber’s board of directors take their oath of office.

The event will also see chamber members honored for significant 2020 anniversaries while other speakers, including U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th) and State Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-8th), give updates from Washington, D.C., and Springfield, along with outgoing chamber President Vince Gendusa and incoming Chamber President Christine Pusateri.

Entertainment will be provided by students from Maine Township High School Dist. 207, Niles High School Dist. 219 and Notre Dame College Prep.

CHICAGO – To set a standard of dignified working conditions in new industries, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed the Future of Work Act in the Illinois Senate on Wednesday.

“Our economy is changing dramatically to adapt to the pandemic, new industries and technology,” Villivalam said. “Illinois must be a leader in building an equitable future for working families by establishing clear and dignified standards of work.”

The Future of Work Act would establish the Future of Work Task Force to assess new and emerging technologies that have the potential to impact employment and wages, develop a baseline of job standards and working conditions, facilitate workforce development and research best practices on how to deploy technology to benefit working people.